mason



C. T. MASON. IGNITION DYNAMO. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, I918.

1,354,502, Patented Oct. 5,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

C. T. MASON.

IGNITION DYNAMO.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. l8, I918.

Patented Oct. 5, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTbR/JEK CHARLES w s moment m; semis cARoLmaIAssmmn 'ld smmom?.jELECTEICAL COMPANYg OF NEWARK," NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF r ,lpncmon n eeNovember 1s, 1918f'Seria1 No -263,627

concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES 'THOMAS *MAsoN, a" citizen of'the UnitedStates, re-

' Ignition-Dynamos, of which "the "following 'isasp cification,referencejbeinghad to the particularly to a magnetogignition device" forfurnishing sparks to an internal com-- siding at Sumter,;in thecounty-of Sumter and State of Southi'Garolina, have invented certain newand useful Improvementsfin accompanying drawing. v I The'inventionrelatesfitofinew and useful improvements in an ignition apparatus for aninternal combustionengine, and more b'ustion engine having the cylindersthereof inclined to each other.v f

It iswell understood that the sparks for an engine of,the'-,abovecharacter must be furnished atunequal angular intervals in the rotationof the engine shaft; In the patent granted to Honold November 8th, 1910,No. 974,967, there is shown and dle -=scribeda magnetoignitionj devicefor furgenerating" :armature rotatesthe angle is shifted,,the

flux flowing from one section to the other and thus the "angular spacingof the sparks is jsecuredr This shifting ofthe flux creating section.requires a large flux: generating element, as art of the flux generatingelement is 'ine ective at certain times "inthe rotating ofthe armature.

In the patent to Cunningham, granted November 9th, 1916, there is showna magneto electric generator "especially adapted I for 'a V typ'eengine, in. which this objectional shiftin ofthe 'flugr is avoided andthe relative slzeof the flux producing elements greatly reduced by theshaping of the metal in the armature jcore sothat the reversal of theflux through the core occurs at unequal angular intervals; In thisCunningham structure the shaping of the core of the armature produceswde air gaps at certain flux reversals which decreases the efliciency ofthe structure. Furthermore, in

i V .Sp ecificationof Letters P atent. I

"IGNITION-DYNAMIC. i i

both the Cunningham and Honold struc tures the generating coil rotatesand is, therefore, more or less inaccessible.

An object of the present invention is to providean ignition devicewherein the gen-3 erating coil is separate and independent from therotating parts, so that itmay be readily removed} for inspection. 7

A further object of the 'inventi'onfis to J provide a magneto" ignitiondevice, wherein there s a fixedf magnetic field andia portion of'theflux due thereto-is rotated about an axis parallel with the directionofi'th'e flux and means is provided for intermittently completing thepath of said rotating flux portion through a stationary current generating coil, but at unequal angular inter vals inthe rotation of theflux.

'A'still furtherobject of the" invention is nted 'oct'. 5, 1920;

to provide a magneto "ignition device of the above character, wherein aninterrupteris' provided forinterrupting the primary of the generatingcoil in angular timing'with the intermittent completing of the path ofthe flux through the coil.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a magneto electricdevice for an ign tlon system of the above' character,

may be removed as aunit and replaced in the magneto at will.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a magneto electricgenerator having a fixed generating coil and a rotor for intermittentlycompleting the path of flux through the generating coil, which rotor isprovided with a plurality of pairs of lobes, the lobes in eachpair beingdisposed so that the centers thereof are less than one hundred andeighty degrees apart,

whereby the flux flow through the generating coil is intermittentlycompletedby said lobes at 1 unequal angular intervals in the rotation ofsaid rotor.

These and other objects will in part .be'

part be hereinafter more illustration one embodiment of the inven-''tion- 1 diagrammatically, the rotor, the generating" coil and thedistributer;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation of the rotor to thepole pieces and the generating coil, also to the, interrupter and thedistributer;

Fig. 4: is a viewshowing more or less diagrammatically the position ofthe pole pieces and the rotor and the interrupter at the time ofineffective flux change;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, but showing the parts positioned for producingthe second spark in the rotation of the rotor; v

Fig. 6 is a similar view, but showing the flux change at an ineffectivespark interval, the interrupter being closed;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing aslightlymodified formof the invention in the shaping and the arrangement of the lobes of therotor, the parts being positioned for the first sparking interval;

Fig. 8 is a similar view, but showing the parts positioned for thesecond sparking interval.

The invention is directed broadly to a magneto electric generator forgenerating a current for ignition purposes, and particularly forfurnishing ignition for a V-type engine-that is, an engine having thecylinders inclined to each other. Assuming there are two cylinders, itis well known that the sparks for the cylinders must occur at 860+X onone cylinder and 360-X on the other cylinder, where X is the angle indegrees between the cylinders. If the magneto generating shaft rotatesat half the speed of the engine shaft, then in order to produce aneflicient spark the current in the generating coil must rise to amaximgim at the angular intervals of 180+% and Magneto generators havebeen designed which will produce maximum current generation at theseunequal angular intervals. The Honold patent, above referred to, showsone type of magneto electric generator, the angular intervals in thistype of magneto being secured by the causing of the flux to flowdiagonally from one flux generating portion across to another generatingportion, this angular path of flux being caused to shift to anotherdiagonal position and the shifting is brought about at unequal angularintervals. The objections to amagneto electric generator of thischaracter are numerous, and possibly the one most noticeable istheexcessive amount of material required in constructing the generator asonly a portion of the flux generating element is Les-1,502

effective at one time. In the Cunningham type of generator, abovereferred to, the entire flux generating element is continuouslyeffective and the amount of material necessary to construct the same isgreatly reduced The shifting of the flux in this My invention isdirected to a magneto electric generator,.wherein the coil is stationaryand entirely independent of the rotating parts. The generator includes ameans for creating a constant magneto motive force, constituting a fixedmagnetic field. This is preferably brought about by the use of permanentmagnets. A portion of the flux due to this means for creating: a magnetomotive force is rotated about an axis parallel to the direction of fluxand this is brought about preferably by a rotor having a plurality ofpairs of lobes, certain of which are magnetically connected with onepole of the permanent magnet, while the other lobes are magneticallyconnected with the other pole of the magnet. Associated with the fixedcurrent generating coil are pole pieces which are so related to therotor that said rotor will intermittently complete the path of therotating flux portion through he current generating coil and these pairsof lobes are disposed at such angles relative to each other as to causethis intermittent completing of the path of the flux at unequal angularintervals in the rotation of said rotor. Also, associated with the rotoris an interrupter which interrupts the primary circuit of the generatingcoil at the same angular intervals as the intermittent completing of thepath of the flux through the coil by the rotor. Also, associated withthe rotor is a distributor which connects the secondary coil alternatelywith the spark plugs of the engine and in timing with the interruptingof the primary circuit.

Associated with the current generating .coil is a condenser and thecondenser is supported by the generating coil, so that it may be removedfrom the magneto without being disconnected from the generating coil.The distributer includes pins which are connect ed to the generatingcoil and these pins are carried by insulating material, which is soattached to the generating coil as to be removed with the coil withoutrequiring dis- 7 connection of the pins from the said generating coil.It Wlll thus be seen that the generating coil portions of thedistributer Furthermore, in

and the condenser may all berernove'd as a unit. 7

Referring more in detail to the drawings, I have shown my invention asembodied in amagneto ignition device, which'includes a supporting base1, onwhich are mounted permanent magnets 2. Supported so as to rotate onsaid base 1 is arotor 3, which is preferably connected to the engineshaft, so as to rotate at, half the speed of the engine shaft. Thisrotor 3 is carried by a shaft 4, which runs in ball bearings 5 and 6.The ball bearing 5,is mounted in a holder 7, While the ball bearing 6 ismounted in a holder 8. Suitably mounted on the base 1 are pole pieces 9and 10. These pole pieces support a core 11, on which is mounted aprimary generating'coil 12 and a secondary generating coil 13.Associated with the generating coils and supported by structure carriedby the core 11 is a condenser 14. y The core is removably secured to thepole pieces 9 and 10, so that thegenerating coil may be readilyremovedfrom the magneto and when the coilis removed the'condenser willbe removed therewith.

The pole pieces 9 and 10 are provided with pole faces 15 and 16, whichcooperate with the lobes of the rotor- The rotor 10 is providedwith twopairs of lobes 18, 19, and 20,

arrow, as indicated in the" figures of the drawings. Let us. supposethat the lobes 20 and 21. are the N. lobes, while the lobes 18 and 19are the S. lobes. The; N. lobes are so placed that the anglefrom centerto center is ISO-- displacement between the engine cylinders.

where X is the angular The S.v lobes are similarly disposed. When therotor'is inthe position shown in Fig. 3, the lobes 18 and 20 arebreaking from the pole faces 15 and 16, respectively, and at this timethere is a maximumcurrentgeneration in the: primary coil, an interrupteris in circuit withthe primary coil and is so timed as to, break thecircuit just at this maximum period. of current generation.

.The interrupter is shown more or less diagrammatically in the drawingsand consists of axcam 22, mounted on the shaft 4, which operateson a.fiber block 23, carried by an arm 24, on which is mounted one of thecontacts 25 of the interrupter. The other contact 26 of the interrupteris stationary. The primary circuit is indicated at P in Fig. 3 of thedrawings, and it will be noted that this primary circuit-is connected tothe fixed contact of. the interrupter. The other contact of the inter- 1rupter is grounded. In Fig. 3. of the draw:

ings, the cam 22 turns in the direction of the arrow and is about tolift the arm 24 and separate the contacts to-breakthe primary circuit.This occurs, as above noted,

' ametallic strip 30, which is adapted to cooperate with the pins 31 and32. Also carried by this lever 27 is a metallic strip 33, which isadapted to cooperate with the pins 34 and 35. These pins are mounted ina fiber block, which is mounted on a single structure supported by thecore of the coil, so that the fiber block, the coil and the condenserare all removed as a unit with out requiring any disconnection of thepins in the fiber block with the generating coil. The pins 31 and 34 areconnected to a bar 36, which in turn is connected to the secondarygenerating coil. The pin 32 is connected to a terminal 37 which in turnis con-, nected with one of the spark plugs and the pin 35 is connectedwith a terminal 38, which This distributer inin turn is connected withthe other spark plu The two spark plugs are indicated at and S intFig. 3ofthe drawings. Inasmuch as the lever 27 is swung by an eccentric memberand the metallic strips. 30 and 33 will yield to a certain extent afterbeing brought into engagement with thepins, this lever 27 is so timed asto swing into contact with the pins first to the right, as viewed inFig. 3and then the pins at the left, and will remain in contactwith saidpins during a considerable time interval. In other words, theeccentric'is ata dwell, so far as movement is imparted to the lever 27,while themetal strips are in contact with the pins. This long timeinterval permits a wide range in the time interval of the spark.

Furthermore, inasmuch as the circuit between the secondary coil and thespark plug S, for instance in Fig. 3, is broken at two points, thespark, in order to jump to the wrong cylinder,must cross this double airgap and this insures that the spark will pass tothe right cylinder only,even though ,break away from the pole face '15, the lobe 21 is bridgingthe air gap betweenthe pole faces and the cam 22 is now positioned so asto close the contacts and; saidjcontacts remain closed during thisinterruptin of the flux flow through the generating coi and no spark isproduced. When the rotor is turned to the position shown in Fig. 5, 1thas passed through an angular distance from the posltion shown in Fig. 3of 180 and the interrupter cam is in position so as to separate thecontacts 25 and 26 and break the primary circuit. At this time the lever27 is shifted to the extreme left-hand position and the metallic stripis in contact with the pins 3i and 35, so that a spark is produced atthis time at the spark plug S. A continued movementoi the rotor bringsthe lobe 19 to a position where it breaks away from the pole face 15,but at this time the interrupter is closed, as indicateddiagramn'iatically in F G, and no spark is produced. When the rotorturns to the position shown in Fig. 3, it has turned through an angle of180 from the position shown in 5. It will thus be seen that by thepositioning of the lobes of the rotor, I am able to secure anintermittent completing of the path of the flux rotated by the rotorthrough the generating coil at unequal angular intervals and also atangular intervals corresponding to the angular intervals between thecylinders in the engine. It will also be noted that the generating coilis stationary and may be readily removed with the condenser and thedistributer terminals without disconnecting any parts thereof.

Particular attention is called to the fact that I have in my magnetoelectric generator a constant magneto motive force constituting a fixedmagnetic field and a portion of the flux due thereto is rotated about anaxis parallel to the direction of the flux and the rotating means is soconstructed and proportioned as to bring about the intermittentcompleting of the path of said fiux portion through this fixed orstationary generating coil at the angular intervals desired. There is nowaste flux producing material as the flux is not shifted from oneportion of the generating element to another, as in the Honoldstructure. While there may p0ssibly .be some little difference in theflux changes at the sparking intervals.owingto the shaping of the lobes,there is, however, a much less sacrificing of the eiiiciency of thecurrent generated, due to excessive air gaps, as in the Cunninghamstructure, and, of course, the sparks may be advanced or re tardedthrough a greater range of efficient action than in the Cunninghamstructure. Furthermore, I have been able to secure all the advantages ofthe maximum current generation at unequal angular intervals of bothHonold and Cunningham in a magneto electric generator, which is muchmore etficient, much more economically made, and

wherein the generating coil is very much more accessible.

The ball bearing holder 8 is reamed out and adjacent said holder is afiber plate having a sleeve extending into the bearing support. Mountedon thisfiber plate are the make and break contacts of the interrupter.By shifting the fiber plate the time of the interruption of the circuitmay be 'aried and thus the spark advanced or retarded.

In Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified formof the construction of the rotor. In these figures, the rotor isprovided with lobes arranged in pairs, as above described. All thelobes, however, are of the same size and extent, but the intermittentcompleting of the flux path at unequal angular intervals is accomplishedthrough the unequal angular spacing of the lobes without any enlargementof the lobes, as in the form of rotor described in detail above. It isbelieved that the operation of the magneto generator so constructed isobvious and like parts have been similarly numbered and furtherdescription thereof will not be given.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and thearrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: c

1. An ignition generating device comprising means for creating a.constant magneto motive force constituting a fixed magnetic field, meansfor rotating a portion of the flux due thereto about an axis parallel tothe direction of flux, a stationary current generating coil, and meansfor intermittently completing the path of said flux portion through saidcoil at unequal angular intervals'in the rotation of said flux.

. 2. An ignition generating device comprising means for creating aconstant magneto motive force constituting a fixed magnetic field, meansfor rotating a portion of the flux due thereto about an axis parallel tothe direction of flux, a stationary current generating coil, means forintermittently completing the path of said flux portion through saidcoil at unequal angular intervals in the rotation of said flux, aninterrupter, and means for operating the interrupter at angularintervals corresponding to the angular intervals of flux change andangular intervals of desired ignition.

3. An ignition generating device for an internal combustion enginehaving its cylinders inclined to each other, comprising means forcreating a constant magneto m0- tive force constituting a fixed magneticfield,

tion of the flux, a stationary current generating coil, and means forintermittently completing the path of said flux portion through saidcoil at angular intervals ,coresponding to the angular position of theengine cylinders, a distributer for distributin the sparks alternatelyto the cylinders and an interrupter for interrupting the primary circuitof the generating coil at angular intervals corresponding to theposition of the engine cylinders.

4. An ignition generating device compris ing means for creating aconstant magneto motive force constituting a fixed magnetic field, arotor having lobes for rotating a portion of the flux due thereto aboutan axis parallel with the direction of the flux, a stationary currentgenerating coil, pole pieces associated therewith and having pole facescooperating with the rotor,the lobes of said rotor being shaped andpositioned so as to intermittently complete the path of flux throughsaid pole faces at unequal angular intervals.

5. An ignition generating device comprising means for creating aconstant magneto motive force constituting a fixed magnetic field, arotor having lobesfor rotating a portion of the flux due thereto aboutan axis parallel with the direction of the fiux, a stationary currentgenerating coil, pole pieces associated therewith and having pole facescooperating with the rotor, the lobes of said rotor being shaped andpositioned so as to intermittently complete the path of flux throughsaid pole faces at unequal angular intervals, an interrupter, and meansfor operating the interrupter at angular intervals corresponding to theangular intervals of completing the flux path through the generatingcoil, and corresponding to the angular intervals of desired ignition inthe en gine cylinders. I

' 6. An ignition generating device comprising permanent magnets forcreating a fixed magnetic field, a rotor associated with the magnets forrotating a portion of the flux due thereto about an axis parallel to thedirection of the flux, said rotor having spaced magneticallydisconnected lobes, a stationary current generating coil, pole piecesassociated therewith and having pole faces cooperating with said lobes,said lobes being constructed and spaced so as to produce an intermittentcompletion of the path of the'fiux, due to said magnets through saidcoil at unequal angular intervals.

7 An ignition generating device comprising permanent magnets forcreating a fixed magnetic field, a rotor associated with the magnets forrotating a portion of the flux due thereto about an axis parallel to thedirection of the flux, said rotor having spaced magneticallydisconnected lobes, a stationary current generating coil, pole piecesassociated therewith and having pole faces cooperating withsaid lobes,said lobes being constructed and spaced so as to produce an intermittentcompletion of the path of the flux due to said magnets through said coilat unequal angular intervals, an interrupter, and means for operatingsaid interrupter for interrupting the primary circuit of the generatingcoil at angular intervals corresponding to the intervals of thecompletion of the flux path and corresponding to the desired intervalsof ignition in the engine.

8. An ignition generating device compris ing permanent magnets, a rotorassociated with said magnets, a stationary coil, pole pieces associatedwith said coil and having pole faces cooperating with said rotor, saidrotor including two pairs of lobes, the lobes in each pair beingarranged with their centers at less than one hundred and eighty degreesapart and, disposed relative to said pole faces so as to break from thepole faces at unequal angular intervals.

9. An ignition generating device comprising permanent magnets, a rotorassociated with said magnets, a stationary coil, pole pieces associatedwith said coil and having pole faces cooperating with said rotor, saidrotor including two pairs of lobes, the lobes in each pair beingarranged with their centers at less than one hundred and eighty degreesapart, and disposed relative to said pole faces so asto break from thepole faces at unequal angular intervals, one of said lobes beingextended so that the pairs of lobes will break from the pole facessimultaneously and twice during each rotation of the rotor and atunequal angular intervals.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

CHARLES THOMAS MASON.

WVitnesses ALFRED GRmR,

E. H. RHAME.

